Planning and Launching a New School
A journey of a thousand miles begins with these steps.
What We Offer
Charter Application Training
Opening the doors on a new charter school starts with getting approval from an authorizer. The Charter Support Unit helps you navigate this step in a way that satisfies the requirements of those who are charged with upholding charter school quality while also creating a touchstone to guide the formation of your new school.
Check out the trainings page for more information.
Launch Year Training (Texas)
The Texas CSU facilitates the Texas Public Charter Schools Association’s Launch Year Training Program. Upon charter approval by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the CSU steps in to provide a year-long training, planning, and technical support leading up to the first day of school with students. Training and technical assistance covers operations, administration, and compliance and brings in subject-matter experts from across Texas.
Check out our LYT page for more information.
New School Institute (Florida)
Specifically for Florida schools, this comprehensive training series prepares for a successful opening once a school has an approved charter.
Check out the NSI page for more information about upcoming events and courses.
Resources & Templates
From checklists for new schools to sample policy manuals, the CSU’s library contains invaluable resources to get your school started on the right foot.
Value of partnership
“The value of the partnership we’ve built with the Charter Support Unit team is immeasurable. They provided guidance and walk each school through the exhaustive foundation-building process to a successful first day of school. Through our partnership, we have developed tools and resources for new schools to utilize. We plan on exploring more opportunities to collaborate. I know they’re just a phone call away. “
– Nadia Luna, VP of Member Services
Texas Public Charter Schools Association
Planning & Launching
Trainings, Webinars, Sample Documents, Resources, and more…
- Renewal Tookit
March 10, 2021
The Charter Renewal Toolkit is a reference document intended to help schools organize their corporate documents and performance records to help schools prepare for their renewal. The guide is developed to be reviewed quarterly so that the school can a …
Read more - Florida New School Checklist
March 10, 2021
The new school checklist was developed for newly approved charter schools working to open a new school. The document lists the various tasks to be completed from the time the charter application is approved until the day students walk through the door. …
Read more - Applying for 501(c)(3) Status
March 10, 2021
Charter Schools in Florida are required to incorporate as not-for-profit agencies. This means that when the school files their articles of incorporation with the state the articles specifically state that you are a non-profit group. This does not mea …
Read more - Summary of 1012.31 – Personnel Files
March 10, 2021
According to Florida Statute (1012.31), the personnel files for public school employees are eligible for public inspection, and certain requirements exist for the process to add additional information into the employee record. This document provides a …
Read more - Teacher Evaluation Requirements of the Student Success Act
March 10, 2021
In 2011 the Florida Legislature passed a bill commonly referred to as SB736, otherwise known as the “Student Success Act.” This bill was signed into law in 2011, and altered the way teacher evaluations occur in Florida. It required that schools devel …
Read more
How can we help your school?
We’re here...because we’ve been there. The CSU’s team of consultants is eager to share what we’ve learned from developing, leading, and growing schools. Turn to us for tested strategies and tools collected from some of the country’s most successful charter school leaders and advocates.